Two-handled snow scooter

Abstract

An apparatus is attachable to a conventional snowboard to convert the snowboard into a snow scooter having improved performance characteristics in comparison to those of the snowboard alone. The apparatus includes two handle assemblies attached to the front and rear portions of the snowboard and including respectively front and rear pole-like handles fixed to and extending upwardly from the snowboard during riding of the scooter. A rider standing on the middle portion of the snowboard and grasping the two handles can exert twisting, bowing, and other forces on the snowboard through the handles allowing him or her to ride the scooter without the use of foot bindings binding his feet to the scooter.

1. An apparatus for forming a snow scooter by attachment of the apparatus to a snowboard having front and rear portions and a middle portion between the front and rear portions onto which middle portion a rider is positioned during use of the snow scooter, said apparatus in a condition of its being attached to a snowboard such as aforesaid comprising:
 a front handle assembly attached to the front portion of the snowboard and including a front handle which during riding of the scooter is fixable against all movement relative to the middle portion of the snowboard and extends vertically upwardly from the snowboard,  
 said front handle having an upper end with a hand grip grippable by a hand of the rider standing on the middle portion of the snowboard, and  
 a rear handle assembly attached to said rear portion of the snowboard and including a rear handle which during riding of the scooter is fixable against all movement relative to the snowboard and extends vertically upwardly from the snowboard,  
 said rear handle having an upper end with a hand grip grippable by a hand of the rider standing on the middle portion of the snowboard.  
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus for forming a snow scooter as defined  claim 1 , wherein:
 said front and rear handles during riding of said scooter extend upwardly from said front and rear portions of the snowboard respectively and are spaced apart from one another to allow a rider to be positioned between the front and rear handles and in the middle portion, of the snowboard with the two hands of the rider grasping respectively the two hand grips of the front and rear handles.  
 
     
     
       3. An apparatus for forming a snow scooter as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of said handles is movable from said upwardly extending condition to a folded condition at which it is positioned generally parallel to the snowboard.  
 
     
     
       4. An apparatus as defined in  claim 3 , wherein:
 both of said front and rear handles are movable to said folded condition.  
 
     
     
       5. An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said apparatus includes a toe strap attached to the snowboard for loosely receiving the toe of a boot of a rider while the rider is riding a chair lift.  
 
     
     
       6. An apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein:
 said apparatus includes at least one member with an anti-skid top surface attached to the snowboard to inhibit sliding of the rider's feet relative to the snowboard.